Thursday, February 2, 2012

Weekend Shopping: Manhattan Vintage

By ManhattanMataHari

Normally we won’t pay to shop, but the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show and Sale promises more than an everyday shopping experience. This Friday and Saturday, patrons can enjoy a veritable history of haute designer labels and a special exhibit featuring Christian Lacroix. Our experience shopping the show last year was mixed. Be forewarned there are many booths to peruse for unique vintage finds, so be sure to pace yourself!

The first thing to keep in mind is that some of the vintage designer pieces will be as expensive, if not more so than current designs. The trade off is you will never have to worry about another woman arriving at an event in the same dress. We saw lots of vintage Emilio Pucci and Missoni print dresses last year, but they were a bit too pricey in the $500 to $1000 range. There were also a number of classic Chanel boucle wool knit separates and suits at about the same price range, which is too extreme considering increasing Chanel retail prices.

Be on the lookout for the accessories booths. The selection of classic Chanel flap bags, Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags, vintage Bottega Veneta intrecciato purses and Louis Vuitton bags and trunks are unmatched. Many limited editions and rare colors and styles are available, with price tags to match. Some of the booth owners may be willing to negotiate a bit on price.

The major highlight from last year was our $50 fur find. Granted, a hook closure needed to be replaced and a cleaning was in order, but this chic short fur jacket with classic lines was a steal. There were a variety of short fur jackets under $200, although we didn’t see any long fur strollers. With a little TLC your vintage cheap fur find can become your winter style staple.

2 comments:

One of the largest Chanel handbag booths there is actually run by the woman who wrote THE book on authenticating vintage Chanel. I didn't see any booths with anything fake and I usually have a pretty good eye for knockoffs.

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About Me

I’m a fashion/business journalist turned blogger. New York Magazine, ABC News, Smart Money and The Wall Street Journal are just a few stops that have prepared me for this particular endeavor. I’m writing on my time about what I know best: Shopping. No sale is too private. No brand too aspirational. I’m breaking it down and dishing the best deals—and we’re not talking just sample sales. This is the real deal gurl!